EP Rinkside Prospect Pool Rankings: No. 10 Ranked Colorado Avalanche

It’s a little staggering to consider just how well the Colorado Avalanche have managed to bounce back from their 48-point 2016-17 season. In just two short years, they’ve managed to pull themselves back into what looks like consistent playoff contention, all while managing to keep their prospect pool well-stocked in the process.

Part of this is thanks to general manager Joe Sakic absolutely fleecing the Ottawa Senators in the now infamous Matt Duchene trade. There was a legitimate chance that the Avalanche could end this summer with one of Kaapo Kakko or Jack Hughes — that would make them a surefire top-three team.

Of course, Sakic deserves credit for more than just the Duchene trade. Smart drafting, fantastic asset management, and a concerted effort to distance the organization from a dis